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Cerro Caracoles (4,504m), New RouteSouth America, Argentina/Chile, Central Andes

The Argentina-Chile border has a number of lesser-known peaks, and many others have only seen afew ascents. Cerro Caracoles (4,504m) is one of these. Seen easily by travelers who cross the Andesby car, it had only three ascents, all from from Laguna del Inca valley in Chile.

On October 22, 2011, Lito Sánchez and I made the fourth ascent by a new route from the MatienzoValley, the first climb from the Argentinean side. We left our car near the village of Las Cuevas andapproached our base camp (ca. 3,400m) by walking 7km through the valley. The following day, westarted through a narrow snow corridor (200m, 40°) to reach the north col, and then climbed across tothe west face. We continued through the northwest corridor (300m, 45°), reaching the south col andfollowing the south ridge (UIAA III/IV). The last part was difficult due to poor rock quality.

Editors Note: This report has not appeared in a print edition of the AAJ.

Images

Lito Sánchez climbing Caracoles’ south ridge.

Caracoles east face.

Caracoles northwest face.

Caracoles South Ridge.

Article Details

Author Pablo David González, Mendoza, Argentina

Publication AAJ

Volume 0

Issue 0

Page 0

Copyright Date 2011

Article Type Climbs and expeditions